Category: GLD2018

Today we meet two special teachers from France who will be presenting their program called, “Silence, on lit!” (Quiet, we’re reading!)

Elise Boirel is a 44 year old mother of two boys aged 14 and 13. She lives in the Paris suburbs. Ms. Boirel has a BA in Marketing, a teaching degree, and a certificate of English proficiency from the University of Cambridge.

Ms. Boirel was a marketing executive who transitioned to becoming an English teacher in 2004. She has been teaching middle school since them. “I love working on projects with other teachers, ” she says, “especially on projects combining English and history

Ms. Boirel’s colleague, Karine, is joining her on this project. Karine Riviere is 42 years old, married for 16 years, and the mother of a 15 year old son and 12 year old daughter.

Mrs. Riviere studied history at the Pantheon Sorbonne University in Paris. She also holds a degree in contemporary history and a certificate in geography. She has been the CAPES of history and geography for the past 17 years, and has been at her current school for 13 of those years.

Mrs. Riviere is the principal teacher of the 8 year old class. She has had many exciting opportunities to orchestrate projects with her students. These include a memorial for la paix a Caen with a visit to the deployment beaches in Normandy and the American cemetery at Omaha Beach. Another project included the study of a play by Moliere, the aristocratic gentleman, that included a visit to Vaux le Vicomte. In addition, Mrs. Riviere has studied the history of the American Revolution, the philosophy of the Renaissance and its consequences on the French Revolution with her students.

This year, she launched a campus wide project, “Silence, on lit!” which she eagerly looks forward to presenting for Global Learn Day.

We welcome everyone to teach the world something new. Do you have something to share? Let us know, there are a few slots left!

We are taking a break from presenter introductions to wrap up our series on this year’s Global Learn Day theme: Uniting The World Through Education

Many say our world is shrinking. As technology speeds ahead and forges connections like never before in history, the separation between any two human beings is decreasing by the day.

Learning how to adapt technology to reach new horizons and bring together distant citizens of the world is the final frontier in a rapidly changing environment. With technology people half a world apart can meet face to face. AI makes it possible for children who have no access to a teach to learn. It also bridges gaps of communication through translation, speech to text, and personal services.

However, as advanced as technology has become, it still does not replace the power of the human brain. All the technology in the world cannot replace the capabilities of the mind.

There is a push to learn less and use technology more. After all, computers and AI can calculate extremely complex equations effortlessly. It can answer phones, provide information, and instantly translate from one language to another…or can it?

Even the best translating software cannot provide accurate translation 100% of the time. Lost in translation are the nuances of life, the human connection. It isn’t simply plugging one word in for another, it is becoming inter-meshed with a new culture, its history, and its people.

As the debate over the prejudices of AI rage on, education and personal interaction remains the best way to overcome what divides us. Shortening the difference between us and them isn’t just a matter of filling in the blank but building bridges.

Learning about history, mastering a second or third language, studying world politics, reading world literature are all ways that each of us can contribute a brick to the bridge from world disorder to world harmony.

Person to person, lesson by lesson, we can build a brighter tomorrow of understanding and interdependence. How are you helping to unite the world? What have you learned today? Who have you taught?

We all have something to give. Global Learn Day is still seeking bridge builders to teach the world what they know best. What gift can you give?

Join our voyage as a Global Learn Day 2018 presenter. For more information, check out our join the voyage page or comment below. We would love to have you aboard.

We have been taking time to meet our wonderful presenters for Global Learn Day 2018. However, today we will take a look at who makes this whole odyssey of education possible!

In 1997, the Internet was a brave new world that many still new little about. It showed potential for great promise but few could have predicted how it would change our every day life. The idea of online worlds and social media were still in their infancy. Online shopping a still developing platform.

There was one man, though, who saw the future and grabbed the opportunity to shape it. Dr. Terrance Redding envisioned the prospect of learning any time, any where in an effort to support lifelong learning and professional development. While others were trepidatious of the fast moving digital age, Dr. Redding saw it’s potential to change lives.

As Redding was setting up the first servers for his new venture, Online Training Institute, another captivating idea was setting sail. Global Learn Day launched its maiden voyage as Online Training Institute (OLT) was welcoming it’s first virtual student.

As Internet serendipity would have it, Redding came onboard the GLD clipper and followed along as it circumnavigated the world through virtual ports of call. By the end of the voyage, Redding was hosting his own port of call broadcast to the world.

Launch Team

Over the past 21 years, OLT has continued to grow and expand.

we have been a leader in online education for Insurance Pre-Licensing courses, Pre- Licensing Exam Prep courses, and Continuing Education courses. We are dedicated to finding new ways to help students learn over the internet and pioneering virtual classroom teaching strategies that actually work for our students. Our focus on excellence in these areas has led to us having some of the highest passrates in the Industry for our Insurance Pre-licensing courses.

Aside from growth, another constant has been their involvement and support of the Global Learn Day project. Twenty one years later, OLT is the underwriting sponsor of the worldwide event.

Dr. Redding has gone from enjoying the view on his virtual deckchair to manning the helm of the ship. We are very thankful for the support that OLT lends to Global Learn Day. Without their vision and desire to further the project, we would not be able to bring this event to you each year.

We look forward to casting off once again on our trusty clipper ship with all our friends aboard this October 6th-7th. Thank you OLT for continuing help education unite the world. Hope to have each of you along for the ride!

It’s mid-summer in the northern hemisphere. Summer vacation is in full swing for most children. If you are wondering how to keep that learning going, here are five fun, family projects to facilitate learning without going to school.

Go Swimming

Swimming is a life skill, one that you don’t truly appreciate until you are in a dangerous situation and need it to save your life. Learning how to swim is a right of passage for many children. Having fun splashing around does more for the brain than just learning a new stroke, though.

Swimming is not just a survival skill, it is also a path to better learning. Swimming has proven benefits to the brain, including increased blood flow and mood elevation. However, swimming also leads to new neuron creation and development of the centers for language.

Children who swim regularly will experience a boost in language and reading skills simply from kicking around in the water! In addition, swimming in natural water is highly beneficial to the brain AND the body.

Open a Lemonade Stand

The iconic kid-run enterprise is a wonderful learning opportunity. Marketing, accounting, customer service, planning, and time management are just some of the skills kids will pick up from running their own micro-business.

This is the type of lesson that makes learning real. It isn’t just word problems on a page that need to be answered. The work invested is engaging and enlightening. Most kids probably won’t even realize how much math they are using, they will just be happy to count their profits no matter how big or small.

Take a Hike!

What was your last encounter with nature? Nature Deficit Disorder is real, and serious. Children need time outdoors to grow and learn. Spending time out in nature teaches much about biology and the world around us, along with encouraging inquisitiveness that leads to more learning.

Plan to spend time in nature regularly, but don’t just plow on through the trail. Take your time, give the children time to stop and investigate, to chase a butterfly and see where it goes, or just spend time taking in all the sights, sounds, and smells around them.

Experiencing nature up close and personal gives children a better understanding of the world at large. It also feeds their senses. Plus, fresh air helps the body in many ways, including improved sleep!

Fun & Games for Learning

Do you like playing board games? Why not make your own? Gather a good supply of cardboard, foam board, markers, paper, and all kinds of arts and craft pieces and let the kids go to town.

Make sure that each game comes with directions, game pieces, and a clear objective. You may be surprised at what they create. Once the games are finished, have a family game night to test them out. This is a perfect time to teach constructive criticism and allow them to go back and tweek parts of the game that didn’t work after their “beta test.”

Let Them Get Bored

Boredom is not a terminal disease, it is actually a great catalyst for innovation. Pinterest and magazines are chock full of ideas to beat summer boredom. So, it may seem like something to avoid like the plague. However, boredom is actually good for children. It leads to self awareness and the ability to occupy oneself.

Sure in the beginning there will be much whining and gnashing of teeth, but don’t give in. Let them stay bored long enough and great things will happen! The best part about learning through boredom is that it costs nothing and can be used over and over, again!

How are you learning this summer?

National Parks in the South East

The United States has been preserving National Parks, Historical Monuments and Battlefields for over one hundred years. In 2015, it was estimated that over 100 million people visited National Parks in the US (statista.com). These parks are often a huge bang for the buck while traveling and wanting to understand the history or natural wonders of an area. On our road trip, we have already been to five locations and at each spot, the kids participated in the Junior Ranger Program and earned a badge (i.e. free souvenir).

Exploring these locations was been an exciting part of our trip. If you have a child entering fourth grade, if you are a senior citizen, handicapped or a disabled veteran you may qualify to gain free or reduced rates at these National Landmarks. So grab a water bottle (because it gets hot), some sturdy shoes and your sense of adventure and get ready to learn!

Most of my life I have wanted to go to New Orleans and so it was fitting that our first big adventure of this trip was a morning trip into the French Quarter. It was busy, hot and the parking was not cheap ($18 for two hours!). So, we wanted to do as much as possible. We started at the New Orleans Jazz Historic park, which isn’t far from Cafe DuMonde’ and the St. Louis Cathedral. They have free music programs throughout the day and as you enter the square where the offices are located local Jazz Musicians are playing. You get all of the feel good, deep south #NOLA vibes. Their Junior Ranger Program wasn’t very intensive and within an hour we had grabbed beignets and headed through Jefferson Square to St. Louis Cathedral. We definitely got the experience of New Orleans packed into that two hour day trip and the kids had earned their badge!

What was interesting was that we were also able to see and learn a lot as we headed in and out of New Orleans. We had prepared by reading an “I Survived” book about Hurricane Katrina. This book took my kids through a first person narrative of the events surrounding Hurricane Katrina. This made Lake Pontchartrain very real to them. They were amazed that so many of the old buildings had survived in the French Quarter, but they could see others that were not nearly as lucky from the highway as we left town.

This monument charges a pretty hefty fee for adults 15 and older. However, the amount of historical information you get and the experience makes it the perfect place for a family to explore. Everybody gets in for the price of Mom and Dad (and paid parking, which was reasonable). This monument is well kept and often has living history exhibits to really engage children. The Junior Ranger program they offer is phenomenal as well. It isn’t air conditioned, but being built out of limestone it isn’t miserably hot even in the June heat. We were able to see replicas of soldiers from different eras but what was really interesting was the life size canvases of different historical figures who passed through the Castillo. It was incredible and so informative!

St. Augustine is rich in history and we easily could have stayed for several days and explored. As it was just a day trip, the Castillo was our main focus. However, we walked up and down the streets in Old St. Augustine and explored the Basilica. The Basilica’s docents were very well informed and taught our kids about how the rock for the walls was quarried.

Working hard to get her Junior Ranger Badge!

Our summer adventure has been amazing… Next up, we will share a bit about Charleston and the adventures we found there.

Meanwhile, have you joined Global Learn Day? The big adventure happens this October so be sure to join the voyage!

How is the summer (or winter in the southern hemisphere) treating you? Here at Global Learn Day, we are working hard and getting very excited!! Global Learn Day is less than 3 months away…actually 2 months, 23 days, 7 hours, 56 minutes, and 8 seconds, but who’s counting???

Over the next few weeks we will continue to introduce our amazing and generous presenters. We have a captivating line up this year and can’t wait for you to come along on this voyage of discovery.

Homeschooling as an educational option is flourishing in our home country, the United States, as well as around the world. Even in parts of the world where homeschooling is restricted or unlawful, parents continue to be the primary educators of their children and provide the means of developing a lifelong love of learning.

For centuries, children were educated at home by their parents and elders of the community. When the industrial revolution swept across the west, the practice of public schooling came with it. However, education was never meant to just be about going to school.

What started as a grassroots movement to bring education back home to the family has blossomed from something unusual, to something main steam. As more families have chosen to homeschool, the need has arisen for homeschool educators to have support and community. Where can that be found?

In the digital age, community has moved online. Aurelius Cabrini Homeschool Resource Center aims to provide community, support, and continuing education for homeschool moms across America and around the world. It is a one of a kind organization that focuses on the mother providing the education and her needs, not just the children learning.

With resources ranging from online learning events and private support groups to curriculum creation and one-on-one coaching. Aurelius Cabrini Homeschool Resource Center seeks to make homeschooling a possibility for every family who wants it.

Founded by Jennifer Elia, a certified teacher and homeschool mom of four, Aurelius Cabrini Homeschool Resource Center is an answer to all the moms she has met who say, “I wish I could homeschool, but….”

Jennifer Elia is on a mission to teach every mom how she can teach every child at home. Believing that every child has special needs but also special gifts, her center works with parents to build an education that not only gives children the power to overcome limitations but fuels the passion that leads to a lifelong love of learning.

We are happy to have Aurelius Cabrini Homeschool Resource Center aboard and ready to share our mission of promoting education. If you would like to join our voyage as a presenter or “passenger,” there is still time! Sign up here and get a free activity packet download with everything you need for the best Global Learn Day ever!

Education is extremely important. Here at Global Learn Day, we work to promote education for all. We firmly believe in access to education and the importance of lifelong education.

However, what happens when education isn’t enough to land a career. What happens when highly educated graduates do not have what it takes to get the job that they need and want?

Neville Gaunt and his crew at YP2G (short for Your Passport to Grow) are working to close the skills gap in a surprising way. Their mission is to give youth a “can do” attitude and boost their soft skills. These skills are not the ones taught by academic courses of study, but are essential to success in real world careers.

In fact, employers favor candidates who excel in these skills above those with higher levels of education and training. Modern education focuses primarily on measurable skills and demonstration of knowledge. This approach is not producing career ready individuals, though.

In a study of 1,000 employers, recruitment company Reed reported that 96 percent would choose a candidate with a great attitude over a candidate with higher skills. Likewise, if forced to make a reduction in force, they would let a more skilled worker go in favor of a candidate with positive attitude traits and named the top six essential attitude qualities as “commitment, honesty, trustworthiness, adaptability, accountability, and loyalty.”

Through a revolutionary, online program, YP2G is changing the lives of young people in the course of a single year with lessons that develop the following skills:

Communication skills

Problem solving

Self motivation

Work under pressure and deadlines

Organizational skills

Team work

Ability to learn and adapt

Numeracy

Valuing diversity and difference

Negotiation

Neville Gaunt explains why he began this program, “As a School Governor in the U.K. in 2003, I’ve seen a huge disconnect between education and business,” he says. “In the mid 1990s as I worked in oil and gas, I noticed graduates around the world were far less prepared for work than when I graduated in 1980.” (source)

The preparedness, or lack there of, was not from inferior academic programs, but from lack of personal development. Students are being given rigorous academics with a focus on STEM without developing the kind of character traits that are needed for a successful career.

Beginning in Pakistan, YP2G has spread to select universities in England and has its sights on growth in the United States where a skills gap is widening.

With the help of successful consultants from around the world, YP2G provides a highly affordable opportunity for youth to develop and attitude for career success. Consultants range from corporate executives to ivy league professors. All are committed to building a better future through better prepared youth.

We are thankful to have the YP2G project aboard. Thank you for helping to change the world!

Do you have something to share with the world? Want to reach people around the world with your special talent or skill set? Global Learn Day is actively seeking presenters to round out our “itinerary” for our October 6, 2018 virtual voyage.

Do you have a library card? How often do you use it? For many people the library is a regular stop in their daily life, a place to get the latest thriller or read the daily paper. Libraries offer so much that it is easy to take them for granted. However, libraries are not just your spot for free movie audiobook rentals, they are a land of opportunity and change.

Nguzo Ogbodo started the Hope and Dreams Initiative when her daughter was disappointed that they could not keep their weekly tradition of visiting the library on Saturday while on a trip to Nigeria.

“Mummy why don’t you gather your friends together and raise money and build one for the children of this community and I will invite Michelle Obama to come.”

A child’s simple vision is changing the world because it gave her mother an amazing mission. In a global ranking of least literate nations, Nigeria ranks third! Add to that the lack of access to proper facilities for hygiene, and it leaves Nigeria’s children lacking in so many fundamental human rights.

To change that, Ogobodo’s initiative has been building reading rooms with a twist. These mini libraries are chock full of enticing non-fiction and spell binding fiction books for all ages, however, they also work to teach proper hygiene while providing the tools needed to stay healthy.

WASH reading rooms house a hand washing station at the entrance and resources to teach hygienic practices and their importance. Better hygiene and access to literature are both helping children grow and learn so they can have a more promising future.

Hope and Dream does not stop there, though. In a often overlooked area, lack of simple resources is highly impacting access to education for girls. Girls who need the education to break the cycle of poverty but don’t have the means to do so.

By providing access to menstrual pads, the girls who come to the WASH reading rooms are gaining back 5 days of education, on average, every month. Those few days add up to an extra 2-4 months of education every year! Months that can make the difference between a solid education with hope for the future and an opportunity lost.

One book, one room, at a time are changing the lives of one child, and one community forever. Through this initiative, the world is a brighter place for hundred of children because of a little soap, running water, and shelves filled with books.

To date, nine WASH reading rooms have been built at schools in the most underserved communities in Africa, mostly in Nigeria. Think of how many more lives could be changed by these simple gifts?

Nguzo Ogobodo is changing the world and we are thrilled to have her be a part of Global Learn Day to raise awareness for this vital mission.

Do you have a dream you want to share? Are you making a difference in access to education? Global Learn Day is actively seeking presenters and partners to teach the world and further our vision of uniting the world through education.

Summer is here! Finally! Now that our schedules are more relaxed, many of us take time to travel or visit with friends. This often translates into opportunities to eat and eat and eat! Eating and breaking bread and exploring the cuisine of a new region or culture is a wonderful part of living. It is possible to partake in the local cuisine and continue to support your personal health and wellness goals while eating away from home.

Here are five tips to help you eat well away from home:

While traveling, consider your overall well being. Choose food that supports your health goals. Pay attention to how you feel after you eat. Were you energized and nourished or do you feel uncomfortable and sluggish? Make a mental note and learn from that for next time.

There are so many fresh, local, whole foods. If you travel to a different region, sample the local fresh flavors. Visit a local farmers market that will highlight the local cuisine. Fresh, whole foods taste amazing. Whatever you decide to eat, remember to focus on your food. Really taste and savor it. Remind yourself that you don’t need to eat past the point of fullness just because it is a special occasion.

Before you leave home, research the food scene at your vacation spot. Take time to find the highest quality restaurants within your price range. Visit the restaurant’s website and check out the menu. Then consider your health and wellness goals, your likes and dislikes, and then decide what to eat before you go.

While traveling, expect delays, traffic jams etc… You might not be able to eat when you get hungry, which could lead to overeating when you finally do eat. Instead, stave off hunger by packing high quality snack foods so that you don’t get too hungry and sabotage your health and wellness efforts.

If you are at a BBQ or picnic and do not have much control over the food choices, ask yourself “what looks good?” “what would I like to try?”. Take time to be selective, don’t just pile food on your plate. Choose a couple of foods that look amazing (you can always go back for more). Then taste, savor and chew the food and really enjoy it. Remember to check in with yourself and decide when you are comfortably full and then stop eating.

If you are attuned to your hunger, fullness and satisfaction, it won’t matter what you choose to eat. That’s because you would stop eating when you are comfortably satisfied. You do not need to feel out of control around food. It is possible to have freedom and taste the amazing bounty that summer has to offer.

If that sounds impossible to you, subscribe to Health Wellness and Chocolate. I offer the first two videos in the Health and Wellness Blueprint Online Course for free. You can begin today to make peace with food and set health and wellness goals.

Summer Lovin’

School is out and summer is here in the northern hemisphere! What are your plans for these too few glorious weeks? Some children will relive the age old rite of passage by opening their own lemonade stand. All they need for this iconic business is water, a pitcher, some lemons, sugar, and a whole lot of hope. Or is there more to it?

The Business of Running a Business

Learning how to run a successful business will serve children when they grow into adulthood no matter what field of work they pursue. From lemonade to the latest invention, here are some steps to support your children’s entrepreneurial adventure. Here is a step by step guide to teach even the youngest entrepreneurs business lessons to last a lifetime!

Brainstorm Ideas

When my oldest daughter wanted to take skating lessons on top of all her other activities, we really had to think about it. We weren’t opposed to her doing so, but the extra funds to finance it were a problem.

She decided she needed to start her own business. I let her run with it, and we sat down to think about what kind of business she would like to have. At seven, she started a horse treat and cookie business that paid for her lessons for four years.

When deciding what business to start, it is important to brainstorm ideas of what business your child would enjoy running, what they know a lot about, and where they will have opportunities to sell their products.

My daughter is horse crazy, has been since she was a toddler. The choice to make horse treats was easy because her second favorite activity is baking. She knows numerous horse loving people as well, and regularly visits barns. Hence her business, aptly named Horse Crazy Treats, was born.

Make A Business Plan

A business plan is essential. If you don’t have a blueprint, it is nearly impossible to build a house. Same is true for a business. Take some time with your child to create a solid plan to give his business it’s best shot.

I recently did this with my son. He had started making crafts to sell and had done quite well, but was not very focused. Now that he was eight and had experience selling a few crafts, I wanted him to really think about what he was doing and how he planned to succeed at the annual craft fair. So, we took out a notebook and answered the following questions:

What products do you hope to sell?

Why do you think these products would appeal to your customers?

What supplies do you need to make each product?

What kind of packaging is needed?

Does your product have a shelf life?

Do you need any special equipment or skills to produce this product?

If you do, do you have these already? If not, how will you get them?

Find Your Market Share

Now that you have a great product and a plan of how to create it, you need a place to sell it. If you have carefully thought out step one and two, it should be easy to find a venue.

Does a local store carry consignment items? Could dad or mom get orders through work? Is your product something that friends in your activities would be interested to buy? Is there a local craft fair or flea market where you could rent a table? Do you have a friend or family member with a business that could sell your product?

My children have found markets at craft fairs, their old preschool, their co-op, and through email and Facebook. Just remember to add any of the costs or commissions to your budget.

Get Your Pitch Ready

If you think of any product that you buy, there is probably a tag line, packaging feature, commercial, or publicized benefit that leads you to purchase it. Help your child come up with their own jingle and packaging. Make sure that the she can answer questions about the product and state why a customer should want to purchase it.

My son is a born salesman, he can engage anyone and get them on board with whatever he is selling. He is convincing, personable, and savvy about what people want to know before they buy. My daughter is more timid and prefers to have the product speak for her. Both of them have been successful because they have used their talents to market their product.

My daughter is very visual and can design beautiful displays that catch customers’ eyes and entice them to buy. My son uses his wit, interpersonal skills, and engaging personality to draw in his customers. Together they would make quite a team! However, we have been really working on honing their gifts, while striving to improve the side of marketing that is more of a struggle for each.

Marketing is important. Don’t short change this step! No matter what field your child moves into as an adult, being able to sell their ideas will serve them well.

Build a Financial Plan

Before jumping full on into a business venture, it is crucial to make sure it is financially sound. Learning to “pencil out” ideas and judge their financial merit is something that will serve every person for the rest of their lives!

This is where the cold, hard truth comes into play. Even the best product will fail if the company can’t afford to produce it. Also, most businesses flounder not for lack of customers, but because of poor financial decisions. Know your limitations and your potential before spending any money.

How much money do you have to invest in your business?

How much will the supplies for each product cost?

For how much could you reasonably sell the product?

How many do you need to sell of each product to break even?

How much profit do you hope to make?

What will you do with your profit?

What percentage of the profits will I donate/tithe?

What percentage of profit will you reinvest into the business?

Assess Your Assets And Make Adjustments

Once your child’s business begins, remember to regularly take a step back and see how it is doing? Are costs being met? Is a profit being made? Which products are selling best? Is there anything that could be done to improve the product, sales venue, or marketing? What goals does your child have for the future of the business? Is your child still enjoying the business she created?

My daughter’s horse treat business served her well for a few years, but then her sales started to drop. Since the treats were perishable, there was a sharp increase in loss due to spoilage because of the slow down. Also, her time commitments changed and she found it challenging to fit in the baking time the business required.

She still wanted to have a business and enjoyed making her own money. After a bit more brainstorming, she decided to create hair clips instead. This business has been going well for three years. After each major sales campaign, she calculates which styles sold best and which weren’t very popular. In this way, she has grown her little business and manages to stay afloat instead of continuing to produce items that aren’t likely to sell. Monitoring progress and trends is an important business habit to develop.

Has your child started a business? What has he learned from the experience?

David Wortley - 360in360

Anita Morin

Peaceful Souls

Creature Crazy

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About This Site

Who are we? “We” are hundreds and hundreds of people from all around the globe who are pleased and proud to call ourselves “GLDers”….short for Global Learn Day Voyagers who have made it possible to hold, annually, a dozen-round-the-world “Voyages” once each year since 1997.

Links to:

About This Site

Who are we? “We” are hundreds and hundreds of people from all around the globe who are pleased and proud to call ourselves “GLDers”….short for Global Learn Day Voyagers who have made it possible to hold, annually, a dozen-round-the-world “Voyages” once each year since 1997.